Many thanks to Rachel and Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on this Blog Tour.
This was book 3 in the series but my first. But it was extremely easy to get into the story.
It was 1911 and Christmas time at the Pennington store. Cornelia was going through a divorce while struggling with job and children, and Stephen, who had left Scotland Yard, was the security guard at the store. Both had a past and found themselves attracted to each other. There were murders of rich women happening into which Stephen was asked to look.
My first book by author Rachel Brimble, I loved the drama and murders intertwined in the story. Though a historical fiction, it had emotions and mystery to draw my attention into the depths of it. The characters were well rounded, I loved their interactions.
The author’s writing was fluid and detailed. Pennington was beautifully described, I could feel my eyes sparkling imagining it all. I was like the kid in Home Alone movie. The book was completely entertaining, it had a lot happening which steadied the pace. The murder mystery kept my thriller-y mind enraptured. A good breakfast read, I would say.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and publisher, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!! STRICTLY HONEST AND UNBIASED.
All my reviews can be read here
I live with my husband, our two daughters in a small market town near the famous Georgian City of Bath. I’m the author of the Pennington’s Department series (Aria Fiction) and the Templeton Cove series (Harlequin) as well as four Victorian romances with eKensington/Lyrical.
When I’m not writing, you’ll find me with my head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with my family. And in the evening? Well, a well-deserved glass of wine is never, ever refused.
Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America.
Gripping drama as Pennington’s department store prepares for a glittering Christmas in 1911, but a killer stalks the women of Bath.
Christmas sees Pennington’s at its most glorious, thronged with shoppers, its grand staircase and balcony adorned with holly, mistletoe, tinsel and lights. It should be the happiest time, but dramas are seething beneath the surface.
For Cornelia Culford, in charge of jewellery, a divorce hearing looms, where she could lose custody of her young sons to her overbearing and unfaithful husband.
For Stephen Gower, being head of security at Pennington’s is the perfect refuge from a tragic past at Scotland Yard. But soon the past will call him back, as Joseph Carter and Elizabeth Pennington beg him to help solve the murder of Joseph’s first wife, now that it seems as if the killer has struck again.
For Joseph and Elizabeth, their marriage depends on exorcising the past. But can it ever be laid to rest?
Publication Date: October 2019
Publisher: Aria
15 Responses
Great review and since it’s available I’ve downloaded a copy for what I call “my night table stack”.
Thank you ❤️ hope you love it too
Just want to complete my earlier comment … since it’s available in Kindle Unlimited….
This sounds like a story with a lot of different storylines that come together in an enticing story. Wonderful review Shalini.
❤️ Thank you so much. It was fun
“A good breakfast read”! Lol You dont know my reading speed in English language, and whats on the table for breakfast. 🙂 Jokes ahead, your review shows its worth to put near the night table. Thank you for the recommendation. Michael
Thank you. You are too kind. Hope you enjoy
In 1911 divorces were very unfair to women. She was right to be concerned.
It is still the same here in my country 108 years on
😨😞😢
Life is tough some countries seem to be going back
Which leads to the question “Do societies evolve or spiral, repeating the mistakes of the past?
A part of society is evolving. The young think they are ones who are discovering new things but in fast life they’ve lost values. The evil remains the same. I am really sure of the statistics but I think not countries or rather no country has done away with crime against women. So we seem to be evolving, but we are still the same because somewhere down the line it is lying quiet pretending to be suppressed. But it is there.
Domestic violence should have been stopped by now. We have technology, knowledge, and broader way of thinking. But it is still there, the men still use power. So we are not evolving.
Laws are made by humans, the core of humans hasn’t changed. The percentage in certain sections of society may have changed. But overall, it is still at the same ratio.
I am not sure if we have ever evolved, maybe some things in your country has changed for the better for women, but some have deteriorated. So overall, the ratio of bad VS good is still the same.
Again I am not sure but I see the same things being repeated
I agree with you. As a society in the U.S., we are “sophisticated.” We talk a good talk about the value of women. But behind closed doors, there is still domestic violence and sex trafficking. And then there are “minor” ways of devaluing women–demeaning in the workplace, pay inequity, and fewer opportunities for advancement, especially for women who take time out for parenting. Evil still lies in the hearts of men and women and emerges in surprising and devious ways. Values, ethics, morals–call it what you will–are sadly lacking worldwide.
Exactly. We are not evolving. We are only pretending. I feel evolving is when our brain and knowledge gets enlightened. With technology, evil is easily accessible now. So I don’t think many would understand evolving. Laws may change, minds haven’t